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Beansprouts

Beansprouts is a cozy and welcoming children's store at Main and 27th. Owner Angie Heintz operates the store under the motto: 'Good Things for Growing Children'.

The store came into being in 2003 when Angie, then a new mother of a little boy, decided to not go back to her life as a painter and custom framer. With a big dream and little experience, she found herself pacing up and down Main Street and noticing that there was no children's store. A lot of planning (eventually with help from a business mentor from the Y) and hard work ensued, and Angie was soon painting the walls in her the new space!

The store breathes a friendly air, and many regulars from over the years still stop by. The space is truly baby-friendly too, with a nice play area with toys and a comfortable armchair for nursing or just taking a break.

Beansprouts has possibly the best selection of consignment baby clothing in town - it is simply excellent - and well laid out. (Don't forget the separate bins for hats and shoes!) The inventory also includes new clothing, toys, accessories (eg. bags, carriers and slings) as well as some body care products. This is also a great store for buying gifts - from organic cotton outfits to wooden rattles.

Beansprouts has a good website and a blog, and the store arranges occasional specials with artists, photographers  and community events.

Neighbourhood Riley Park
4305 Main Street map...
(604) 871-9782
Hours Mon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
www.beansprouts.ca

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Little Earth

Little Earth children's store has a strong little base at Hastings Sunrise right next to Pomegranate Midwifery Clinic. Owners Mariska McLean and Flavia Spano are yet another success story rising from the dream 'I will start a company after I have my children'. Both are moms to three, and met through a Craigslist ad looking for a business partner! Mariska is an early childhood educator from Holland, and Flavia is a former cafeteria manager from Ontario.

Mariska lives in Hastings Sunrise and saw the empty storefront. She knew it would be perfect but it needed a lot of work. Her business plan was not crystallized yet, and the space was taken by a developer's display centre.  Months later, when all the condos were sold the space became available again - and this time it was in great shape! Little Earth opened in July 2007, and the rest is history.

The store sells wooden and educational toys, fabric diapers, toiletries, Medela breast pumps, Mama Goddess birthing kits, Ergo carriers, and both new and consignment clothing. (The new clothing is locally made by Peekaboo Beans). Consigning is easy, and they accept all labels (including Superstore clothing) - please call ahead of going to consign. All items have to be freshly laundered. Sales net you 40% store credit and you even get a 10% discount when using your credit.

Little Earth has a nice little play area, and a separate room for breastfeeding and diaper changing. We love it!

The store has a July anniversary sale, and special 10% off shopping nights in the fall. You can even arrange for your own shopping night if you have a group wishing to have one! Little Earth is also happy to do special orders of any items they don't have in stock.

Address 2643 East Hastings Street
City Vancouver BC
Postal V5K 1Z5
Neighbourhood Hastings Sunrise
Telephone 778 737-7004
Hours Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 11-5:30
Website www.littleearthvancouver.com

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Room for 2

Room For 2 is a fixture on Vancouver's baby- scene. The store, which moved to Commercial Drive in its second year of operations in 1985, has by now catered to two generations of mothers!

Owner Lorena Battistel (whose mother Lillian is co-owner of the business) is passionate about all things maternity and baby. Lorena is a long time childbirth educator, doula as well as a mother of four - it is safe to say that there is no-one in town more experienced and knowledgeable running a baby store!

But Room For 2 is not just a baby store. It is good to know that it started out solely as a maternity and nursing store - with no baby inventory. This foundation is still strongly present, and if you need a nursing bra in an unusual size, or just extensive choice in regular sizes - this is your store. It goes without saying that there is also a great selection of breastpumps, both electric and manual - some are even available for rent.  Room For 2 also sells parts to all the equipment they sell.

This store is packed to the rafters with merchandise. They have everything you could imagine needing and more. Bella Bands, support belts, belly creams and books, all for pregnancy. Nursing clothing, bras, baby clothes, toys, music, cards, etc.etc. You can just go and browse, but you will shortchange yourself if you don't ask the super-friendly and helpful staff to assist you. They are full of information and great advice, and they don't push. Many large items such as carriers can be tried out - with expert instruction.

Room For 2 has a customer loyalty program giving you store credit after a certain amount of purchases. (We know people who don't even have children who have accounts at Room For 2 - they use the store for all their baby gifts!)

To top all this praise off - here is a little secret - Room For 2 has free customer parking behind the store. This is worth gold on Commercial Drive.

Neighbourhood Commercial Drive
4387 Main Street map...
(604) 876-4010
Hours Mon-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
website

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Sparkle & Junebug

Address 3073 West Broadway
City Vancouver BC
Postal V6K 2G9
Neighbourhood Kitsilano
Telephone 604 568-5434
Hours Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Sat 10-7, Sun 11-6

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TJ's The Kiddies Store

TJ's is a large business compared to many other Polliwog listings. It has two outlets in Vancouver as well as stores in Victoria, Kelowna and Surrey. We like TJ's because it is local, their inventory is huge and they have a good website for browsing and Internet shopping.

TJ's started in 1978 as small second hand baby and children's store. True to its roots, TJ's still has a buy-back program for some of their products and thus they also stock some second hand and reconditioned items. They also post on Craigslist and Twitter.

Neighbourhood Marine Drive
88 SW Marine Drive 2737
604 324-2888

Kitsilano
West 4th Ave
604 739-2922
Hours Marine Drive
Mon-Sat 10-5:30 (Fridays until 9 pm) Sun 12-5

Kitsilano
Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5

www.tjkids.com

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We at Polliwog only list companies that provide great service. It's that simple.

We particularly like promoting local, independent small businesses - they deserve all our support.

We don't charge for listings - i.e. you can't buy your way in. The listings are based on our experience as clients and discerning consumers.

We visit and contact the stores, review their web sites, talk to the Owners and bring you their stories. And we bring you our impressions.


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page last updated on January 4, 2011